Temporary Residence – Inversionista
investor
A temporary residence subcategory for foreigners who invest in Costa Rica. The Reglamento de Extranjería (Art. 87) sets a minimum investment of US$200,000 in real estate, registrable goods, shares, securities, productive projects or projects of national interest, with a separate US$100,000 forestry route. Ley 9996 (2021) is reported to have lowered the general threshold to US$150,000.
Life in Costa Rica
Money
3
Currency
Costa Rican Colón
CRC
Costa Rican Colón
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–25%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 13%
Salary scale 2026: monthly salary up to CRC 918,000 exempt; 25% on the excess over CRC 4,727,000 a month. Self-employed have a separate annual scale.
Living
1
Happiness
#4 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreigners who make a qualifying personal investment in Costa Rican property, companies, securities or productive projects.
Eligibility
Minimum investment
You need capital of no less than US$200,000 invested in the listed asset types.
US$200,000
Minimum investment · per Art. 87 of Decreto 37112-G
- Real estate, registrable goods, shares or securities count
- Productive projects or projects of national interest also count
Official wording
Capital of no less than US$200,000 (per Art. 87 of Decreto 37112-G) in real estate, registrable goods, shares, securities, productive projects or projects of national interest.
Forestry investmentForestry route
On the forestry route, you need an initial investment in forest plantations with an approved management plan.
Forestry route amounts
- Initial investment
- US$100,000
- Management planminimum, approved
- 3 years
- Investment falls under Art. 70 of Ley Forestal 7575
Official wording
Initial investment of US$100,000 in forest plantations under Art. 70 of Ley Forestal 7575, with an approved management plan of at least 3 years.
Personal investment
For productive projects, show a public accountant's certification that the investment was made in your own name.
Official wording
For productive projects, a public accountant must certify that the investment was made in the applicant's own name.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementDependants
- Document checklistFiliation form and signed application (solicitud de permanencia legal)
- FeesResidence application payment (Art. 255, Ley 8764)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 8 documents
- 3 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Costa Rica
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Costa Rica
- Visit & tourismVisiting Costa Rica
- Permanent residencePermanent Residence
- Status in-countryTemporary Residence – Pensionado
- Status in-countryTemporary Residence – Rentista
- Investors & entrepreneursEstancia – Trabajador o Prestador Remoto de Servicios
